DiLeo fulfills dream with GM job

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly

Tuesday

Sep 25, 2012 at 12:01 AM

PHILADELPHIA — Tony DiLeo couldn’t help himself.

During the early portion of Monday’s news conference in which he became the 12th general manager in 76ers’ franchise history, DiLeo cracked: “I think I can officially say I have now (held) every position and every title in the 76ers’ organization. There’s nowhere to go.”

DiLeo, 57, has been with the Sixers for 22 years, working his way up from scout to director of player personnel to senior VP of basketball operations/assistant GM to GM. He also stepped in to replace Maurice Cheeks as coach in the middle of the 2008-09 season and guided the Sixers to a 32-27 record and a playoff berth.

“I’ve had basically every role here and I know what’s going on,” DiLeo said. “I coached one season, so I understand what Doug goes through.”

The former Cinnaminson High School star has worked in Philaelphia with everybody from Larry Brown to Rod Thorn to Doug Collins and made an impression with each one.

“(He’ll do well as GM) because he understands the pro game and how to put a team together,” said Sixers president Rod Thorn, who will become a consultant after this season. “He is experienced and unflappable, a bright guy, flexible and can interact with the various entities you have to deal with.”

After DiLeo interviewed with the Trail Blazers and made it to the final three in Portland, he said majority owner Josh Harris asked him not to talk to any other teams (“three or four” inquired, according to DiLeo).

DiLeo, who as an 11-year-old watched the 1967 NBA champion Sixers play at Convention Hall, interviewed twice before landing his dream job.

“I’m not the type of person to promote myself,” DiLeo said. “I was interested in doing this, leading an organization and coming up with a vision and trying to fulfill that plan.”

One part of DiLeo’s plan is to hire a Moneyball-like analytics expert to allow the Sixers to consider specific statistics when making personnel decisions. The Spurs and Rockets are among the NBA teams already using such a person.

“I’m a big believer in (analytics),” said DiLeo, hoping for what he called “a competitive edge.”

DiLeo said he had a hand in the Sixers’ offseason moves, culminating with trading for 7-foot center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers.

“I was instrumental in a lot of things that we did,” DiLeo said. “Everyone was involved and on the same page. I had a lot of input.”

As for who will have final say in basketball decisions, DiLeo insisted it’ll be Harris. His job is to gather information and make a recommendation to Harris.

“Now, instead of making recommendations, it’ll be more of a decision-making role,” he said.

Earlier in his career, DiLeo won nine national titles coaching in the former West Germany’s top divisions — seven with the women and two with the men, and earned Coach of the Year honors in 1987. He also wrote and published the European Basketball Handbook, a guide designed to acclimate American players overseas.

DiLeo played his college ball at Louisiana Tech and La Salle, graduating maxima cum laude from the La Salle School of Business.

While excited about the Sixers’ future, he admitted 2012-13 “will be a transition year for us. We’re looking to answer some questions.”

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